Oakland University plans $65 million campus expansion

Oakland University is undergoing a transformation that some officials say will put the public state university and Oakland County on the map nationally.

OU officials announced plans Tuesday for a $65 million campus expansion in 2014 that will include the addition of a $30 million, 500-student housing complex, a new 1,240-car parking structure, an expanded student center and a "dramatic" expansion of recreation and athletic fields.

"We believe that what southeastern Michigan and the state as a whole need most now is renewed investment in the resources that will enable us to thrive in the 21st century," OU President Gary Russi said after the OU Board of Education approved the projects and schematics.

"Our most valuable resources are the young people who will soon assume leadership of our collective future. We believe the investment we're making today will inspire them to work toward great successes that will undoubtedly be of tremendous benefit to all of us in years to come."

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The majority of the expansion will be on the Auburn Hills side of the campus, which straddles Rochester Hills.

The housing and parking projects are welcome additions to students who have had to live in area hotels and motels waiting for student housing to open up; and to students and visitors who have been frustrated by lack of parking close to their buildings.

Student enrollment has increased at the nearly 1,500-acre campus by 37 percent over the past 15 years, from 12,000 to almost 20,000 this fall.

The new student residential project will be the second new housing complex in the last 10 years. It will also incorporate the Honors College and classrooms, a small cafe and space for student meetings and private and group studying.

Oakland's second parking structure will include four levels and provide a net gain of 930 spaces conveniently located near seven academic buildings. In total, the project will result in more than a 10 percent boost in available parking on campus.

The new outdoor recreational and athletic facilities will accommodate NCAA Division I athletic events including tennis and track-and-field meets, club and intramural sports competitions and a variety of fitness and recreational activities, said Ted Montgomery, OU spokesman.

Students are happy with the expansion.

Jean Ann Miller, director of the Center for Student Activities and Leadership Development, said students are excited.

"We just have a very unique campus life and this will make it all that much better," ," said Miller, who has worked with OU students for more than 20 years. "Besides an awesome education, they will get all these great amenities that go with it.

"Who cannot be happy about the new parking? And housing -- we had to put people up in a local hotel and they can avoid that, hopefully. The upper fields, in term of physical health and well-being, they'll be having it all. These new facilities enhance their personal growth. It is just win-win."

Student Congress President Samantha Wolf said the projects will enhance the Oakland University campus.

"It definitely answers the student concerns," said Wolf, noting that Congress is happy to have such a response from OU and its board.

"A college education should be a life-changing experience for students, and I'm confident that addressing their needs and aspirations with these new facilities will make attending Oakland even more rewarding," said Mary Beth Snyder, vice president for student affairs and enrollment management.

Approval of the new facilities comes quickly after the completion of construction of OU's nearly 172,825-square-foot Human Health Building last fall, groundbreaking for a 127,000-square-foot engineering center in October, and recent approval of plans for a 151-foot carillon tower made possible by a generous gift from long-time university benefactors Hugh and Nancy Elliott, Montgomery said.

When all projects are completed, students will enter the campus at the Squirrel Road entrance at University and see the new carillon tower straight ahead near the Oakland Center. The new parking structure will be to the right off Pioneer Road near Dodge Hall and the library. The new housing will be north of Vandenberg residence halls. A facilities management building is also planned.

According to a story by Oakland Post reporter Jon Davis, the Oakland Center, which is the student activity center, also could be expanding. Renovations to update the center were done a few years ago.

The OU Student Congress plans to visit Michigan State University, Central Michigan University, Bowling Green University and Ohio State University to find out what students there like about their student centers, said Wolf, who is leading the effort.

They will submit their opinions to Oakland Center Director Richard Fekel, who will present them to the Board of Trustees for consideration, according to the student newspaper. However, Wolf does not expect any action on the recommendation for a few years.

To learn more about OU, its campus life and academic programs, visit oakland.edu.